Evolution begins with an ant colony

Chapter 141 The Plan Of The Dryads

Akun pressed on, his words firm and resolute. "No one needs to tell you. You and your clan are weak, not even up to the dragon grade. Even if you all decided to confront me at once, you still wouldn't stand a chance. Let's avoid pointless bloodshed and follow me to where you're holding Oliver." The choice now lay with Rinalef and her clan. Stay connected through empire

Rinalef clenched her teeth and gripped her dress tightly as her mind drifted back to a time before she had ventured out of the castle. She recalled a solemn meeting with the five elders of their tribe, an assembly of wisdom and ancient knowledge. Unlike the other races inhabiting the god forsaken forest, Dryads didn't age. Their appearances remained unaltered, frozen in their prime.

Their lives were intrinsically linked to the energy within their cores, and they would only meet their end when this energy was entirely depleted.

Even then, the uniqueness of the Dryads revealed itself. Their bodies did not decay, but instead emanated a sweet, flowery fragrance that brought a sense of comfort and serenity to the forest.

Rinalef sat within the sacred circle of Dryad Elders, a gathering of wisdom, each elder wearing garments that seemed to flow from the forest itself. Their striking green hair cascaded like living vines, and their eyes sparkled with the deep knowledge of countless centuries.

Rinalef raised her voice slightly, her tone tinged with confusion. "If not now, then when? My parents are dying, and you're saying we should wait. You are basically saying we should watch them die while we do nothing?" Tears welled up in her eyes.

Elder Aelorin was the eldest and their spiritual leader. She had a regal bearing and spoke with a soft, melodious voice. "My dear Rinalef, this situation is dire. We've been left to fend for ourselves. We must rely on our own strength, as the other tribes will not lend aid. As such, we cannot go to war against an enemy we simply don't have the strength to defeat."

Rinalef asked, her voice trembling with sadness as tears streamed down her cheeks. "So, what are you saying we should do then? Because as far as I know, going to war is our only option. How else will we obtain his core." She clenched her fists tightly.

Elder Thalanor, with his hair woven in intricate forest patterns, was known for his shrewd wit. "We shouldn't rush things, child. This forest is our home, beginning a very heated war could make us loose all of it, so we must not rush and make such a decision. Patience is our ally."

Rinalef then spoke with a slightly vexed tone, nearly sounding disrespectful. "You keep mentioning patience, Elder Thalanor, but what exactly are we waiting for? My parents' deaths?" She concluded, her mind wandering unrestrained due to the fear of losing her beloved guardians.

Elder Sylara, a vision of elegance with ivy-threaded robes, chimed in. "Come now child, that is no way to speak to your elders. Do not let the pressure of this situation lead you into making the wrong decision. Very soon, this.. Akun, will most likely come to our tribe demanding his comrade's freedom.

We shall use that as an opportunity to use our tribe's secret weapon, not for an ambush, Our command over nature, although powerful, pales before his might."

Rinalef then calmed down, realizing her earlier behavior was disrespectful. She bowed her head and apologized, "I am sorry, Elder Thalanor. I don't know what came over me. I shall accept whatever punishment you deem necessary."

Thalanor replied with a smile, "Come now, child. You were only acting out of your parents' best interests. You meant no harm."

Rinalef raised her head and thanked him, saying, "I am most grateful for your mercy, Elder Thalanor."

Rinalef then asked with a confused tone, replying to Elder Sylara's earlier statement, "If not then, when shall we employ our clan's special weapon?"

Elder Aelorin then spoke up, her tone calm. "It's a force to be reckoned with, and its use will come at great cost. As such, we cannot use it here in our tribe." She stretched out her arm, opening a clenched fist to reveal a seed. She then said, "You shall plant this in the body of the intruder that is currently in our dungeon."

Rinalef, taking the seed, asked, "If not when Akun comes, then when?"

Elder Nyressa, the most cautious of the council, had a serene, thoughtful air about her. "Patience child, our clan's weapon, will spares us the effort of needless war, but would devastate our home if used here, because the roots and tree that will emerge are truly vicious creaturs. We will use.. this.. so called intruder in our dungeon, to transport it.

When the time comes, we will make it sprout, and the ant tribe will be destroyed."

Rinalef then asked, slightly worried, "But will this tree truly be powerful enough to stop him? The day I went to his tribe, the strength I saw emanate from his very being was truly otherworldly. Nothing I've ever seen even came close. Not even that demon who placed the curse held a fraction of that power. It was truly terrifying.

That was also what made me believe he had consumed a Dragon's core, just like the demon had said."

Elder Aelorin then spoke up with a calm and reassuring tone, saying, "Don't worry, child. No matter how powerful the so-called Akun is, the tree will harness the power of Mother Nature to strike. It will also target his people, making them focus on defense rather than launching an offense.

Even if he retaliates, the plant will simply absorb his life force and regenerate, allowing the tree to continue its assault without his resistance. Unless he is a god, his fate is sealed. When he finally comes, do not simply let him through, or he may suspect our true intentions. You must conceal our purpose."

Rinalef clenched the seed tightly in her hand, her resolve evident. "I understand." The weight of their decision hung heavily in the air, and she knew that her future actions would decide the fate of her beloved parents.